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Structure, Function, and Healing Response of Articular Cartilage and Meniscus

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A Strategic Approach to Knee Arthritis Treatment

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Abstract

Articular cartilage is a tissue that forms the surface of the joint, which reduces friction during the lifetime and enables the synovial joint to perform the painless joint movement. Articular cartilage consists of a rich matrix and specially differentiated chondrocytes sparsely distributed between them. The articular cartilage matrix protects chondrocytes from damage that may occur due to normal joint movement, provides elasticity to the joints, provides a lubrication system for low-friction movements between the synovial fluid and the cartilage, and regulates the movement of matrix macromolecules throughout life. However, with age, chondrocytes gradually lose their ability, and given repeated damage, cartilage dysfunction eventually leads to osteoarthritis. The meniscus is two crescent-shaped fibrocartilage structures between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau. The meniscus is the primary stabilizing structure of the knee joint having important functions such as load transmission, absorb shock, joint stability and lubrication. The inner two-third of the meniscus is a relatively avascular structure and is not well recover when torn. Since only the peripheral part of the meniscus has the ability to heal, the location of the tear is the most important factor in restoring the torn meniscus. However, in order to overcome this, several studies are being conducted that can improve the healing potential in the torn meniscus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Haeundae Bumin Hospital, Busan, South Korea

    Seung-Suk Seo & In-Seung Lee

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, South Korea

    Young-Chae Seo

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Correspondence to Seung-Suk Seo .

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  1. Department of Orthopedics, Haeundae Bumin Hospital, Busan, Korea (Republic of)

    Seung-Suk Seo

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Seo, SS., Lee, IS., Seo, YC. (2021). Structure, Function, and Healing Response of Articular Cartilage and Meniscus. In: Seo, SS. (eds) A Strategic Approach to Knee Arthritis Treatment. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4217-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4217-3_2

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